Centrifugal separator



March 9, 1937. MANN 2,073,216

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATQR Filed April 26, 1934 37 l I 3 3 a 3/ l separator adapted for a wide Patented Mar. 9, 1937 U ITE STATES PATENT OFFICE v cmsfili'iim John Mann,

Goulds Pumps,

Seneca Falls, N. Y., a'ssignor to Inc., Seneca Falls, 'N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 26, 1934, Serial No. 722,463

12 China.

This invention relates to centrifugal separators. The object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal separator which is simple in' construction,

. economical to manufacture, efllcient in operation, and which will effectively perform functions for which it is intended.

A further object is to prevent undesirable remixing of materials separated centrifugaliy.

A still further object is to provide a centrifugal variety of operations.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements,

and arrangement of which will be exemplifled in the constructions hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a centrifugal separator embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modification.

In the usual type of centrifugal separator the lighter liquid is thrown out of the top of the separator member, and the heavier liquid is allowed to flow outwardly at a lower point. Commonly, the casing of the machine is formed with a flange which extends inwardly toward the neck of the separator member between the flows of separated liquids. In order to permit free rotation of the separator member, a clearance space is left between the neck and the flange. The rotation ofthe separator member tends to build up an increased pressure within the casing beneath the flange because of the centrifugal action of the exterior walls of the separator member. This. pressure gives rise to an outflow through the ex-. haust pipe for the heavy liquid, with the result that there is a considerable compensating inflow of air through the clearance space. This inflow tends to carry with it the lighter liquid thrown of! above the tory results. when the lighter liquid is the end product sought. as in the separation of oil from waten'this results in a considerable decrease in the yield, and when the heavy liquid is the end product sought, it results in the contamination of the heavy liquid. With the foregoing and other 55 diflculties'in view, the present invention con,-

flange with consequent unsatisfactemplates preventing the remixture of materials separated by a centrifugal separator, and in its exemplified embodiment, accomplishes this by controlling the pressure within the chamber so that there is no undesirable tendency for an air flow through the clearance space in an undesired direction.

In accordance with the invention there may be built up within the chamber about the separator member an air pressure such 1 that a suitably limite'dair flow through the clearance space is caused in a desired direction or such that there is created a balanced pressure condition with no tendency for air to move throughthe clearance space in either direction.

As shown in Fig. l, the exemplified embodiment of the invention comprises a separator member 9 rotatably carried on a standard ill driven by a shaft Ii. The material to be separated, such for instance as a mixture of oil and water, is introduced into the lower portion of the separator member through an axial conduit l2, ports I3, and passageway ll. The centrifugal action within the rotating member tends to cause the heavier material, e. g.,' water, to gather against the outer -'wall of the separator member, and the lighter material, e. g., 011, to build up nearer the axis of the separator member. An annular baffle i5 near the top of the separator member is provided to assure proper separation of the materials. The

lighter liquid flows inside the baille, through a passageway l8 disposed about the conduit I2, and

upwardly through a neck portion ll of the separator member, and is thrown outwardly at l8 at the top of this neck portion. The heavier liquid flows outside the baffle It at is and beneath an inwardly-extending portion 20 of the separator member, and out through an opening 2| at the base of the neck i1.

In order to preserve the ejected materials and assure their collection, there is provideda stationary casing 22 about the separator member. This casing includes a flange 23' which extends inwardly to a point adjacent the neck of the separator member beneath the openings l8 and above the openings II. ber N for the reception of the lighter liquid, and a chamber 25 forthe reception of the'heavier liquid. The'lig'hter liquid runs oil! through a pipe I, and the heavier liquid runs off through a pipe 21 extending-from a chamber portion 28 beneath the separator member. As will be noted, the

standard III is of less diameter than the separator member.

In order to re free rotation of the sepa- There is thus provided a chamrator member, a clearance opening, as indicated of the baflle member, the threads 33 and 3. afat 30, is left, between the inner edge of the flange fording means enabling a substantially microand the neck of the separator member. As will adjustment of the baiile 3| to be obtained.

be seen the rotation of the body of the separator If desired, the bottom of the separator mem- 5 member tends to act as a pump to cause an air ber may be extended outwardly to provide a flow through this clearance space; and that such somewhat greater surface above the bailie memflow would tend to carry separated light'liquid ber. An arrangement of this sort is shown in into the chamber 25. In order to prevent the Fig. 2, wherein the separator member 9a is prorotation of the separator member from causing vided with a bottom 32a having an outwardly- 10 such an air flow, there is provided control means extending portion 38 beneath which an adjustcomprising in the present instance a baflle rnemable baflle 3|a is threadedly mounted. I I ber 3| extending inwardly from the casing 22 ata Since certain changes may be made in the point adjacent the. bottom 32 of the separator above construction and different embodiments of member. This baille is disposed in such proximthe invention could be made without departing ity to the bottom of the-separator member as to from the scope thereof; it is intended that all cause the escape of air from the chamber 25 to matter contained in the above description or be properly limited or opposed. Because of the shown in the accompanying drawing shall be inprovision of this baille, the air pressure within terrupted as illustrative and not in a limiting the chamber 25 may be so controlled that the sense.

pressure adjacent the opening 30 is substantially It is also to be understood that the following the same as the pressure in the chamber 24. As claims are intended to cover all of the generic will be seen, the amount of this pressure will deand specific features of the invention herein depend, other things being equal, upon the nearscribed, and all statements of the scope of the ness of the baille 3| to the lower surface 32 of invention which as a matter of language might the separator member, since this lower surface be said to fall therebetween.

32 will have a considerable centrifugal action Having described my invention, what I claim which will tend to prevent the outflow of air as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: from the chamber 25 at points in proximity to l. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatthis surface. Other factors determining the able separator member, a stationary casing about amount of this pressure will be the extent of the said, separator member, means including said portion of the lower surface of the bottom memcasing providing upper and lower chambers for ber 32 which is juxtaposed with the upper surthe reception of materials of difierent specific face of the baille and accordingly will be exertgravity, there being a gaseous medium in said ing an effective centrifugal action. the distance chamber, said means being arranged to provide 35 of the juxtaposed surfaces from theams of the a clearance opening between said chambers to 35 separator member, the relative roughness or permit free rotation of the separator member, smoothness of the surfaces, the distance between and baille means adjustably mounted on the casthe flange 23 and the top of the separator meming to substantially prevent a movement of said ber, etc. It will thus be seen that thebaflie medium through said opening.

member and/or the bottom of the separator 2. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotat- 40 member may be designed to give a desired presable separator member, a stationary casing sursure in various types of centrifugal separators. rounding the separator member, a chamber be- The space between the baflie and the rotatabletween the casing and the periphery of the sepbottom may be Just sumcient to provide a balarator member, a clearance space between the anced pressure within the chamber 25 or may be casing and the separator member at the top of 45 sumcient to cause a slight flow through the said chamber, means to discharge lightliquid clearance opening 33 in a desired direction. above said clearance space, means to deliver Preferably, thebaflle should be adjustably mountheavy liquid from said separator member to said ed, as exemplified, so as to assure a proper action chamber, and means extending inwardly from 60 under different operating conditions. In the said casing in suillciently close proximity to the present instance, the baflie member 3| is provided bottom of the separator member so that the rowith external screw threads 33 and the casing is tation of the separator member will build up a provided with internal screw threads 34,-so that pressure in said chamber sufllcient to desirably the baiile may be moved nearer the bottom of the limit the passage of fluid into said chamber separator member, or further from it, to take through said clearance space, said inwardly-excare of varying conditions 01 operation. When tending means being spaced sufllciently from the the .baifle is adjustable it may be designed to bottom of the separator member to permit said set up a desired range, of pressures which will heavy liquid to pass inwardly along said mean give satisfactory operation under difl'erentconso as to escape from said chamber. a

ditions. It will be apparent that the baflie mem- 3. A centrifugal, separator comprising a' rotat. 60

her can be fairly near the "bottom of the separator able separator member, a stationary casing surmemberwithout hind the outflow of the rounding the separator member, a chamber be- H heavy liquid thrown into 'the chamber 25, over tween the casing and theperiphery of the septhe top of the baiiie member and into the chamber arator member, a clearance space between the 23 beneath it. The baflle' member 3| is formed casing and the separator member at the top of 65 about its lower periphery with a series of recesses said chamber, means to discharge light liquid 33, and the casing is formed with an opening 36 above said clearance space. means to deliver through which a suitable tool may be inserted heavy liquid from said separator member to said and worked to turn the baiile member and to adchamber, and means extending inwardly from just it to the proper position with respect to the said casing in suiilciently close proximity to the 70 bottom 32 of the separator member. During bottom oi the separator member so that the rooperation the hole is sealedand rotation at the tation of the separator member will build up a baflle 3| prevented by means of a plug 31. ,As pressure in said chamber sufficient to desirably will be seen, the pressure within the chamber 23 limit the passage of fluid into said chamber can be very loosely controlled by the adjustment through said. clearance space, said clearance space being nearer the axis of said separator member than the inner edge of said inwardlyextendingmeans.

4. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatable separator member, a stationary casing surrounding the separator member, a chamber between the casing and the periphery of the separator member, a clearance space between the casing and the separator member at the top of said chamber, means to dischargelight liquid above said clearance space, means to deliver heavy liquid from said separator member to said chamber, and means extending inwardly from said casing beneath said chamber and adjacent the bottom of said separator member, the latter means being adjustable axially of the separator member to control the pressure built up within said chamber by the centrifugal action of the separator member. i

5. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatable separator member, a stationary casing surrounding the separator member, means to introduce into the separator member material to be separated, an upwardly-extending neck on the separator member arranged for the escape of light material from the separator member, a flange forming a part of said casing and extending inwardly adjacent said neck but out of contact therewith, means permitting the escape of heavy material from the separator member into the space between the separator member and said casing beneath said flange, and means extending inwardly from the casing in sufficiently close proximity to the bottom of the separator member so that the rotation of the separator member will build up a pressure in said space sufflcient to substantially prevent the entrance of light material between said flange and said neck.

6. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatable separator member, a stationary casing surrounding the separator member, means to introduce into the separator member material to be'separated, an upwardly-extending neck on the separator member arranged for the escape or light material from the separatormember, a flange forminga part of said casing and extending inwardly adjacent said neck but out of contact therewith, means permitting the escape of heavy material from the separator member into the space between the separator member andsaid casing beneath said flange, and adjustable means extending inwardly from said casing beneath said chamber and adjacent the bottom of said separator member, the latter means being adjustable to control the pressure built up within said space by the centrifugal action of thebottom of the separator member to desirably limit entrance of light material into said space,

7. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatable separator member, a stationary casing surrounding the separator member, means to introduce into the separator member material to .be separated, an upwardly-extending neck on the separator member arranged for the escape of a light liquid from the separator member, a flange extending inwardly from said casing and in proximity to but out of contact with said neck, means permitting the escape of heavy liquid from the separator. member into the space between the separator member and the casing beand means threadedly con nected with the casing and extending inwardly from said casing and beneath the separator member, the last-mentioned means being admember, the latter means terial delivered justable axiallyof the separator member so that it can be moved a sufllcient distance from the bottom of the separator member so that the centrifugal action of the separator member will build up a pressure within said space, the inner edge of said last-mentioned means being disposed further from member than the inner edge of said flange.

8. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotatable separator member the walls of which are turned inwardly and then upwardly adjacent its top to provide a neck, means to introduce adjacent the bottom of the separator member material to be separated, an annular bailie adjacent the inturned wall and spaced therefrom, means to conduct upwardly through said neck material passing inside said baffle, a casing surrounding said separator member, a flange extending inwardly from said casing and terminating in proximity to but out of contact with said neck, means to conduct out of said neck at a point beneath said flange material passing outside said baiiie, and means extending inwardly from'the casing and adjacent the bottom of the separator being adjustable axially of the separator member to control the pressure built up by the centrifugal action of the separator member within the space beneath said flange.

9. A centrifugal separator comprising the combination with an exterior housing, of a rotatable separator member within the housing, a stationary casing about the separator member between the said member and the housing and subdividing the space between the separator member and the exterior housing into an interior and an outside chamber, the interior chamber being adaptedto receive heavier separated components issuing from the separator member while the outside chamber is adapted to receive lighter separated components issuing from a different portion of the separator member, the chambers being in communication with each other -through an opening defining a clearance in which the separator member freely rotates, rotation of the separator member tending to draw air through the said opening from the outside chamber into the interior chamber and substantially micro-adjustable means mountedlon the said stationary casing and extending into proximity to the separator member for counteracting the passage of air through the said opening between the chambers, thereby preventing tendency of the separated components to become intermixed.

10. A centrifugal combination with an exterior housing, of a re.- tatable separator member within the housing, a stationary casing about the separator member between the said member and the housing and dividing the space between the separator memher and the exterior housing into two chambers,

one of which is adapted to receive heavy material delivered from ,the separator member, while the other chamber is adapted to receive light maby the separator, a clearance space between the casing and the separator member, the said clearance defining an opening communicating between the chambers, means for discharging light material from the separator above the said clearance space into the chamber for light material, means for discharging heavy material from the separator to the chamber for heavy material, a baiile threadedly mounted on the stationary casing and exending inwardly from the stationary easing into sufliciently close proxthe axis of the separator.

separator comprising the imity to the bottom oi the separator so that rotation oi the separator will build up a pressure in the chamber receiving the heavy material sumcient to control, as desired, passage of fluid through the said clearance space, and means enabling adiustment or the said baine relatively to the separator. 11. A centrifugal separator comprising the combination with an exterior housing, of a rotatable separator member within the housing, a stationary casing about the separator member between the said member and the housing and dividing the space between the separator member and the exterior housing into two chambers, one'of which is adapted to receive heavy material delivered from the separator member, while the other chamber is adapted to receive light material delivered by the separator, a clearance space between the casing and the separator memand-instrumentalities for preventing oi the baille during rotation of the separator.

12. A centrifugal separator comprising the combination with an exterior housing, of a rotatable separator member within the housing, a 5 stationary casing about the separator member between the said member and the housing and dividing the space between the separator member and the exterior housing into two chambers, one of which is adapted to receive heavy material de- 1o livered from the separator member, while the other chamber is adapted to receive light mate rial delivered by the separator, a clearance space: between the casing and the separator, the said clearance defining an opening communicating, 15 between the chambers, means for discharging light material from the separator above the said clearance space into the chamber for light material, means for discharging heavy material from ber, the said clearance defining an opening communicating between the chambers, means for discharging light material !rom the separator above the said clearance space into the chamber for light material, means for discharging heavy material from the separator to the chamber for heavy material, a baflle threadedly mounted on the stationary casing and extending inwardly from the stationary easing into sufllciently close proximity to the bottom of the separator so that rotation of the separator will build up a pressure in the chamber receiving the heavy material sufflcient to control, as desired, passage of fluid through the clearance space, means enabling ad- 85 iustment or the bai'ile relatively to the separator,

the separator to the chamber for heavy material, 20 a bailie threadedly mounted on the stationary casing and extending inwardly from the stationary casing into sufllcientiy close proximity to the bottom of the separator so that rotation of the separator will build up a pressure in the g chamber receiving the heavy material sufllcient to control, as desired, passage of fluid through the clearance space, means enabling adjustment of the baflle relatively to the separator, and instrumentalities for preventing turning 01' the bafo fie during rotation of the separator, the said in-' strumentalities comprising 'a recess in the'baille and a releasable locking pin extending into the said recess through the said exterior housing.

JOHN MANN.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. I

Patent No. 2,073,216.. March 9, 19:57.

JOHN MANNr It is hereby certified that error appears in the or'the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page. 2,

first column, line '75, for the word "loosely" read closely; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record oi the case in thePatentoi'ifice.

Signed and sealed this 6th day oi April, A. D. 1937.

printed specification Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents,

imity to the bottom oi the separator so that rotation oi the separator will build up a pressure in the chamber receiving the heavy material sumcient to control, as desired, passage of fluid through the said clearance space, and means enabling adiustment or the said baine relatively to the separator. 11. A centrifugal separator comprising the combination with an exterior housing, of a rotatable separator member within the housing, a stationary casing about the separator member between the said member and the housing and dividing the space between the separator member and the exterior housing into two chambers, one'of which is adapted to receive heavy material delivered from the separator member, while the other chamber is adapted to receive light material delivered by the separator, a clearance space between the casing and the separator memand-instrumentalities for preventing oi the baille during rotation of the separator.

12. A centrifugal separator comprising the combination with an exterior housing, of a rotatable separator member within the housing, a 5 stationary casing about the separator member between the said member and the housing and dividing the space between the separator member and the exterior housing into two chambers, one of which is adapted to receive heavy material de- 1o livered from the separator member, while the other chamber is adapted to receive light mate rial delivered by the separator, a clearance space: between the casing and the separator, the said clearance defining an opening communicating, 15 between the chambers, means for discharging light material from the separator above the said clearance space into the chamber for light material, means for discharging heavy material from ber, the said clearance defining an opening communicating between the chambers, means for discharging light material !rom the separator above the said clearance space into the chamber for light material, means for discharging heavy material from the separator to the chamber for heavy material, a baflle threadedly mounted on the stationary casing and extending inwardly from the stationary easing into sufllciently close proximity to the bottom of the separator so that rotation of the separator will build up a pressure in the chamber receiving the heavy material sufflcient to control, as desired, passage of fluid through the clearance space, means enabling ad- 85 iustment or the bai'ile relatively to the separator,

the separator to the chamber for heavy material, 20 a bailie threadedly mounted on the stationary casing and extending inwardly from the stationary casing into sufllcientiy close proximity to the bottom of the separator so that rotation of the separator will build up a pressure in the g chamber receiving the heavy material sufllcient to control, as desired, passage of fluid through the clearance space, means enabling adjustment of the baflle relatively to the separator, and instrumentalities for preventing turning 01' the bafo fie during rotation of the separator, the said in-' strumentalities comprising 'a recess in the'baille and a releasable locking pin extending into the said recess through the said exterior housing.

JOHN MANN.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. I

Patent No. 2,073,216.. March 9, 19:57.

JOHN MANNr It is hereby certified that error appears in the or'the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page. 2,

first column, line '75, for the word "loosely" read closely; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record oi the case in thePatentoi'ifice.

Signed and sealed this 6th day oi April, A. D. 1937.

printed specification Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

